People worldwide offer condolences to Bali

Words of condolences and sympathy have flooded The Jakarta Post to be extended to the victims of the tragic Bali blasts. Excerpts below are merely some that we would like to share to demonstrate how the bombings have saddened people around the globe as we believe it is caused not only by their love for Bali but by their love of peace and reverence for humanity.

Zelda, Cardiff-Wales: I just wanted to say to the Balinese community that the tragedy over the weekend will definitely not stop me returning to Bali and that I hope the island will not suffer a prolonged time of hardship after the bombings. I wish I could do something to help ...

Latiffa Suleiman, Jakarta-Indonesia: It is unfair, because there are 17,000 islands, and in 1998 Jakarta was struck and now Bali has had its turn. If AlSantaClaus wants to put up a pyrotechnics show, maybe it should be on some other island not those who have already hosted one before.

Christopher C. Marks, Aliso Viejo, California-USA: The Indonesian government's failure to, first, admit there is a growing terrorist base within Indonesia and, secondly, to aggressively do anything at all to remove this expanding threat will certainly continue the decline in the much needed foreign currency influx necessary to aid the failing economy.

I am personally appalled by the disdain for routing out these animals who obviously offer no redeeming social value whatsoever.

I have canceled my upcoming Bali vacation and will take my dollars to a more friendly climate -- anywhere where human rights and dignity are appreciated beyond religious differences and terrorist ideals!!

Indonesia -- wake up!!

Steve Frank, Cincinnati-USA: My deepest sympathies for Indonesia, Bali, and those innocents whose only sin was to come and enjoy your island paradise and world-famous Indonesian hospitality.

We, the free people of planet Earth, are in this battle against global terrorism together. Whatever our respective background, race, nationality, or religion, we can no longer tolerate those who practice intolerance. We must stand for civilized behavior and the rule of law through democratically elected constitutional orders.

Those who would preach anarchy and destruction in the hope of building a utopian paradise are as mad and murderous as Pol Pot or Adolph Hitler. They must be opposed by all men of goodwill.

Petrus M. Sitohang, Tanjungpinang-Indonesia: Security has long been cited by many as one of the negative factors that has prevented investors from returning to Indonesia. This has resulted in the prolonged economic crisis.

The bomb blasts in Bali last Saturday have proven this claim. Indonesia's existence is now at stake. Now it is for our police and military personnel to act and demonstrate their presence as frontliners in safeguarding the nation's sovereignty and unity.

Made Bayu Krisnamurti, Kuala Lumpur-Malaysia: Words, are what I can share. May these simple words can cheer up the Balinese who are shocked by the horrible incident last Saturday. May God always bless the victims and the families that have been left behind.

BALI .... people say it is an island in paradise ... An island of the gods ... Where we believe that God will always protect us ... In everything we do ... Seems now we're living surrounded by evil ... The devil that shook our island ... The devil that wrecked our island ... The devil that destroyed our beauty ... Now, they feel that they have won ... But ... Evil won't ever win ... Please don't cry Bali... Keep your spirit alive ... Never ever feel downhearted .... We will win the fight against evil ... May God bless the victims and the families that have been left ... May God bless us in everything that we do.

Stephen J. Boos, Philadelphia-United States: I do not even know how to express my sorrow for the attack that happened in Bali. My heart and prayers go out to all of Indonesia and to all of the people that died and are injured.

To their families and to all that this has affected, I can only pray that the ones responsible will be captured soon. I do know how you must feel as I was deeply affected by what happened here on Sept. 11, 2001.

I truly hope that my government will offer its assistance in any way that might be needed, as I would if it were possible. I will keep all of you in my prayers and I pray that something like this will never happen again to your country or any other.

Please keep safe and also keep praying; the world can use all the help it can get.

Adele Foster, Melbourne-Australia: What a tragedy this is, not only in human life, but what it will ultimately cost the people of Bali and Indonesia.

My sympathies go to the families of the victims, the Balinese people who I understand are the friendliest of people and to my own Australian people who have been greatly affected by this heinous crime.

Lina Wijaya, Medan-Indonesia: The Indonesian government had been dragging its feet in combating terrorism and now it has paid a high price for it with the tragedy in Bali. It's time for the government to get its act together. The political elite should stop making this into a religious issue. My condolences to the families of the victims of the Bali blasts.

A. Cipriani, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-USA: Our heartfelt sympathies to the families of those killed and the victims of the Bali terrorist attack.

Whoever can do this kind of thing is demented ... and there is no excuse for it.

Patricia Green, Rockingham-West Australia: May I, through your paper, convey to the people of Bali in particular and Indonesia in general, our sincere sympathy in the wake of last night's disaster.

I have an Indonesian daughter-in-law and members of her family live in Kuta. They are distressed, telling me that all those people in the nightclubs they considered as friends.

We have only recently returned from another Bali holiday and find it unbelievable that our beautiful island has been desecrated.

Joel Coward, Brisbane-Australia: The tragedy that has unfolded in Bali is truly a sad day for Indonesia and all involved. I hope that for the sake of the deceased, the survivors, the island of Bali, the people of Bali and Indonesia that something positive comes from such misery.

I hope that the people of Indonesia stand tall against what will no doubt become an international finger-pointing and blaming session.

I hope that sanity, care and rationality is used to answer the many questions that this incident has raised.

I hope that better relations and cooperation can rise from the ashes of Jl. Legian between Australia and Indonesia for a happier future as neighbors and as friends.

Together we are combined, in the blood spilled from this tragedy.

I hope that Indonesia is not bullied into America's campaign against Iraq because of this incident.

Indonesia is a wonderful nation, rich and diverse, one I call my second home to my own nation of Australia. My extensive time spent in Indonesia, even in tragedy, has always been one of friendliness, warmth and generosity.

Through darkness there is always light, I learned that in Indonesia. My thoughts are with the archipelago. Good luck.

Thomas Belfield, Volcano-Hawaii: The recent terror bombings in Kuta, Bali, have the potential to rock Indonesia from one end to the other. This is a wake-up call written in blood.

Indonesia is a great country, its people kind and generous, its land and oceans beautiful. It pains me no end to see the country suffer so needlessly: Timor, Aceh, Maluku, Papua. For what? Only a trail of needless tragedy.

Now, perhaps the recent events in Bali will move the Indonesian people to reject the extreme and ignorant views of a small and dangerous minority -- a minority intent on the very destruction of Indonesia as a nation. Is this not clear now?

Indonesia can take advantage of this tragic event and rise to be a leader among the nations of the world. Indonesians must reject those behind the bombing in Bali in clear and certain terms. There can be no other road to follow now.